BUNNELL — As a Darth Vader balloon towered in a corner, Flagler County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Tom Bexley put down his lightsaber and declared “May the Force be with you” to three couples who married at the Flagler County Courthouse on May 4.
The group wedding ceremony at the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center in Bunnell wasn’t just a celebration of vows, but a celebration of “Star Wars” Day, when fans around the world commemorate the film and its iconic phrase “May the Force be with you” on May 4.
The “Star Wars”-themed ceremony was the idea of Nichole Buckles, Bexley’s chief of staff, who dressed as Princess Leia for the occasion. She said the office had done Valentine’s Day group weddings in the past. But this year Buckles said, as the Mandalorian would say, “This is the way” and brought a galaxy far, far away to Bunnell.
“We wanted to do something different, and our boss is a huge “Star Wars” fan, so we picked a May the Fourth wedding ceremony,” Buckles said.
She said no taxpayer money, including funds from the clerk’s office, went to the event, which was supported by community sponsors.
The support from the sponsors included plenty of goodies for the event: There were cupcakes with a sign that read “The Cake Awakens”; a cake with a sign that said “The icing is strong with this one” and next to it were Wookie cookies.
The sweet tea was labeled “C3PO oil,” blue raspberry lemonade was “Blue Milk” and the water was “Luke Skywater.”
Besides the Darth Vader balloon, a storm trooper patrolled the event, which took place in the jury assembly room.
‘Star Wars’ theme is strong at May the Fourth wedding ceremony
Bexley arrived and unsheathed a red lightsaber, the color used by Vader. But he put it aside as he stood behind a podium to commence the ceremony.
As the theme music to “Star Wars,” Bexley first presided over Palm Coast couple Nancy and Neal McCoppin, who were renewing their wedding vows. Each wore a black T-shirt that read “Annoying each other since 1974 and still going strong.”
After they renewed their vows, three couples filed in as more “Star Wars” music played.
None of the couples wore “Star Wars” outfits, though.
May the Fourth in ‘a galaxy not so far away’ in Bunnell
Bexley then proceeded with the second part of the ceremony.
“In a galaxy not so far way, love remains one of the most powerful forces,” Bexley said. “It binds us, guides us and gives us our life’s purpose, much like the force itself. Today, we celebrate your new beginnings together.”
Bexley told the couples that the force was with them.
The couples then kissed.
Afterward the couples posed for pictures with family and friends.
Daisey and Clemente Mendez of Bunnell, one of the couples married, said they are huge “Star Wars” fans.
They said they were already planning on getting married on May 4. When they went to get their license, the clerk’s office told them about the “Star Wars”-themed ceremony.
“It was awesome,” Clemente Mendez said.
A May the Fourth anniversary
Sidney and Orjanette Contee of Palm Coast were also married at the ceremony.
Orjanette said she was at the clerk’s office when she saw the sign about the ceremony and thought it would be “neat” and “unique.”
“It was definitely something interesting,” Sidney Contee said about the ceremony.
Orjanette said: “It was special. May the Fourth be with you will always be our anniversary.”
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: ‘May the Fourth be with You’ as couples marry in Flagler County
Reporting by Frank Fernandez, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
